PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) - Quarterback Trent Edwards has a swollen
bruise above his right kneecap, which forced him to miss practice
Wednesday, a day after the Buffalo Bills starter knocked knees in a
collision with running back Marshawn Lynch.
Walking with a noticeable limp, Edwards was relieved the injury
to his lower right quadriceps wasn't as severe as he initially
feared, but added he's not sure whether he'll play in Buffalo's
third preseason game at Indianapolis on Sunday.
"Honestly, right now, I'm just kind of taking it on a
day-by-day basis," Edwards said after the Bills held their final
training camp session of the summer in suburban Rochester.
"Sunday's still a long way away."
Except for the swelling, Edwards said he's been informed that
there is nothing structurally wrong with his leg or knee.
It's a relief for Edwards after he went down early in practice
Tuesday, shortly after handing the ball off to Lynch. Edwards lay
on the field for about 5 minutes and got up limping before making
his way to the trainer's room.
"It was scary," Edwards said, noting that the collision was so
forceful that it initially felt as if Lynch had kicked him. "It's
disappointing, but I'm glad it happened during preseason than
during the regular season."
Lynch complained of soreness in his knee after practice, but was
back on the field Wednesday after being cleared by the training
staff.
Coach Dick Jauron described Edwards' injury as "a significant
bruise," and noted the quarterback's return will depend on how
quickly the swelling and pain subside.
"If you had your druthers, you would have him play in the game,
so we're hopeful that he can play," Jauron said, referring to
Edwards' status for Sunday.
The injury is a setback for Edwards, the 2007 third-round pick
out of Stanford, who took over the starting job from J.P. Losman
midway through last season. And it comes at a time when the Bills
offense was beginning to discover a sense of rhythm. Edwards went
9-for-11 for 104 yards and two touchdowns during a two-series
appearance in a 24-21 win over Pittsburgh last week.
If Edwards can't play, the focus shifts to Losman, who's
acknowledged he's lacked focus and motivation after the Bills
failed to grant his request to be traded this offseason.
Losman, though, said he has put his hard feelings aside and is
ready to step in for as long as Edwards is hurt.
"I had a chance to digest everything that happened in that
situation in the offseason, and right now I am strictly focused on
being ready," said Losman, the second of Buffalo's two 2004
first-round draft picks who has twice in three years lost the
starting job.
"We have a team here and we are all grown men, and you have to
handle the situation the way it is, like grown men."
Offensive coordinator Turk Schonert said he's confident the
offense can move forward with Losman, but acknowledged he was
concerned about the backup's attitude at the start of training
camp.
"He wasn't 100 percent there mentally all the time. But he got
into it. He got better and got better and got better," Schonert
said. "Hopefully, (Edwards' injury) will show him what we've been
telling him, 'Hey, you're one snap away, and you've got to be
ready."'
Edwards' injury re-emphasized the Bills' decision to keep Losman
for his experience and knowledge of the offensive system. Losman
has 31 career starts and last season went 2-4 in seven starts and
contributed to a victory as a backup.
"Most teams are going to play two quarterbacks and need two
quarterbacks every year ... because it is a very tough position to
play," Jauron said. "So yes, you definitely want guys that you
know can come in and win games."

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)